What happened to Corbin Burnes, and what is Diamondbacks’ Plan B for Saturday?

SAN DIEGO — Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes is undergoing an MRI in Phoenix on Friday and will receive a second opinion after landing on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

Burnes was supposed to start for Arizona on Saturday in a potential do-or-die game at Petco Park in the final weekend of the regular season.

Instead, the Diamondbacks will pivot based on how Friday’s game shakes out. The Diamondbacks’ elimination number is two, meaning any combination of two D-backs losses or Philadelphia Phillies wins will eliminate the former.

“We have a couple of plans in place,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “Plan A is to get through tonight’s game and do everything we can to win tonight’s game, so it’s all hands on deck. And then the tomorrow thing is a conversation we’ll have after this game, depending on who’s available, who hasn’t been used, who has been used. Do we need a bulk guy? Do we go full throttle with nine different relievers? So we’ll figure that out. But we’ve got to get through tonight and that’s our main plan.”

Michael Soroka is lined up for Sunday’s game and the idea of moving him up had been kicked around. For the time being, Soroka will remain scheduled to pitch in the regular season finale.

Fellow starter Eduardo Rodriguez will be available in the bullpen later in this series. Lovullo said Rodriguez volunteered to pitch on Friday in relief if needed, but he will be in the bullpen in case his name is called over the next couple days.

The D-backs have potential multi-inning options in Ryne Nelson, Zac Gallen and Jose Cabrera, the latter of whom was recalled in Burnes’ place. Brandon Pfaadt starts on Friday, and his effectiveness against the Padres will outline what is possible from a pitching plans perspective moving forward.

What happened to Corbin Burnes?

Burnes was throwing a bullpen between his last start on Sunday and scheduled outing on Saturday, but it just did not feel right. General manager Mike Hazen said Burnes was not feeling pain, but the ball was not coming out right to where Burnes felt he could help the team.

His velocity has not returned consistently in games since he returned from a 15-month absence due to Tommy John surgery and a shoulder strain, and he struggled with his signature cutter. Burnes allowed five home runs in 10.1 innings across three starts.

“He wasn’t complaining of symptoms, he was just saying it wasn’t coming out very good,” Hazen said. “We saw that in the last start, like the velocity and stuff like that. Look, he’s been rehabbing now for two straight years. He’s been working hard and throwing and doing all these things. So, hopefully he’ll have a normal offseason.”

Diamondbacks-Padres lineup

The Padres clinched a playoff spot on Thursday, but they still have home-field advantage in the Wild Card Series to play for. Their lineup on Friday was very similar to Thursday at Dodger Stadium with a postseason spot on the line.

There's more work to be done. pic.twitter.com/t0mkLA8o3a

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 25, 2026

Home sweet home. pic.twitter.com/TfjBKPyROa

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 25, 2026

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